Jason Ji shook his head, dispelling unnecessary thoughts from his mind. Since he was already here, he might as well settle in!
Jason began to think calmly about his next steps. This mission was unlike any he'd faced before. In previous tasks, he had the freedom to choose his approach, but this time, the rewards would depend on the degree of completion. To be honest, the 2000 Destiny Points and the godly skill Dragon's Reach were highly tempting.
So, it was clear to Jason that he had to aim for the highest standard—Objective Three. Naturally, this objective would be much more challenging than Objectives One and Two. But that was fine. Jason already had a plan forming in his mind.
Taking a deep breath, Jason stood up and smiled at the maid. "Lead the way."
Behind him, Henry Hong followed closely, clearly intending to go wherever he did. But Jason shook his head, addressing her gently, "Be good, Henry Hong. Stay here and wait for me. I'll be back soon."
This was his first meeting with Livia Dong, and there was no way he'd bring Henry Hong along.
Raymond Dong chuckled. "Yes, stay here, little lady. Your brother is off to meet his future wife. No need for you to tag along."
Henry Hong bit her lip, reluctant but obedient, and nodded. "Alright, brother, hurry back. I'll be waiting for you here!"
Jason smiled, reached out, and affectionately ruffled her hair. Then, he turned and followed the maid out of the hall.
Jason followed the maid across pavilions and corridors, eventually arriving at a peach grove. The maid stopped at the grove's entrance and bowed deeply. "Prince consort, this is where I'll take my leave. Her Highness the Princess awaits you inside."
With that, she turned and left, leaving Jason alone at the grove's edge.
Under the silvery moonlight, the pink blossoms danced in the air, filling the atmosphere with a fragrant sweetness. The scene before him was nothing short of a dream scape. However, Jason had no interest in appreciating its beauty. His mind was tense, his heart unsettled.
Even though he'd meticulously prepared himself, the thought of meeting that woman brought a wave of inexplicable tension.
He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and stepped into the peach grove. Following the moonlit path, he soon reached the grove's center. Just as he wondered where she might be, a graceful figure appeared in his line of sight.
"Is that her?" Jason halted abruptly, murmuring as he looked at the figure ahead.
There she was, standing quietly beneath a peach tree, dressed in a pink gown embroidered with phoenix patterns.
"Your Highness, Livia Dong?" Jason clenched his fist and called out, his voice steady.
At the sound of his voice, the woman turned, the moonlight cascading over her features. Her skin, as flawless as white jade, glowed softly. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with refined eyebrows and an air of nobility tinged with heroism. Her captivating eyes sparkled with the brilliance of stars and the mystery of the deep sea. Yet, beneath this beauty lay a frigid intensity, like a storm atop a snowy mountain, making it hard for anyone to meet her gaze directly.
Her nose was perfectly sculpted, accentuating her elegance, and her lips, the color of rose petals, complemented a face that seemed the masterpiece of creation itself. In her presence, the entire world seemed like a mere backdrop to her beauty.
Even Jason, mentally prepared as he was, couldn't help but be momentarily stunned, held captive by her presence. But he quickly regained his composure and locked eyes with her, determined not to let his aura falter.
"The Master of the Immortal Slayer Sword, Jason Ji?" Livia's lips curved into a faint smile, her tone carrying a hint of intrigue, as though curious yet veiled with an unclear emotion.
"It's me," Jason replied, getting straight to the point. "I hear Your Highness requested to see me?"
Livia nodded, gently touching her chin with a slender finger. "Of course, I wished to see you. After all, you are to be my future husband."
As soon as these words left her lips, a notification chimed in Jason's mind:
Ding! Red Alert: Livia Dong's hostility towards the Host has increased to 85.
Jason took a deep breath, his surprise barely concealed. Just one sentence, and her hostility had already risen by five points! This woman was even more unpredictable than he'd anticipated.
"Does Your Highness truly wish to kill me so badly?" Jason's gaze was unwavering as he met Livia's eyes.
"Oh?" Livia raised her brows, genuinely surprised—not that he sensed her hostility, but that he had the nerve to voice it so directly.
"And what makes you say that Mr. Ji?" Livia's gaze was steady as well, studying him closely, as if trying to decipher something in his eyes.
"Because I know you well enough," Jason replied with a slight smile.
"Is that so?" Livia pressed her lips together, intrigued. "We've never met until now. How could you possibly know me?"
Jason shook his head, quickly settling into his role. "At the age of nine, you set fire to the Empress's quarters in the Daming Palace. At ten, you smashed the Lingyan Pavilion built in honor of the Empire's twenty-four founding heroes. At eleven, you shaved the Crown Prince's head and slashed the little princess's face. At twelve, you broke the leg of the Grand Protector General's son. By thirteen, whenever you appeared on Chang'an's streets, the entire ten-mile stretch would be deserted, earning you the nickname 'Chang'an's Nightmare.'"
"In short, no matter if they were commoners or nobility, anyone who dared cross you met an unfortunate end."
At this, Livia let out a soft, dismissive laugh. "So, that's what you meant by knowing me? Just some silly rumors from long ago?" She scoffed lightly. "You really are an inexperienced newcomer to Chang'an."
"Let me tell you something, Jason Ji. The storytellers in this city have already turned my exploits into tales to amuse the masses. Any beggar or child in Chang'an could recite these stories by heart. Knowing these tales doesn't mean you understand me."
Jason shook his head, his expression enigmatic. "You're mistaken. What I meant by understanding you isn't about the things you did publicly."
"Furthermore, those storytellers in Chang'an who spread tales of your so-called rebellious exploits—they're actually under your employ, aren't they?"
Livia's smile froze, her eyes growing dark and cold as she absorbed his words.
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